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Windows => Third Party Plug-ins, Programs, and Skins => Topic started by: knickelfarz on October 17, 2003, 12:14:16 pm

Title: Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 17, 2003, 12:14:16 pm
The "Blue Steel" skins are optimized for 8 point fontsize if not described different.
I think "Tahoma 8 point" is the standard font setting of windows (and even MC) after installing it, and most people never change this - so I orientated myself by this...

There are available these versions so far:

[/list]Blue Steel
The new default skin of MC 9.1  ;)
(http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_raw/BlueSteel_small.jpg)
Zoom Picture (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_raw/bluesteel.htm) -- Direct Install (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_raw/BlueSteel.mjp) -- Download ZIP (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_raw/BlueSteel_MEGAME_Skin.zip)


BlueSteelFullScreen
Looks like "Blue Steel", but without rounded borders - for those who always view MC in fullscreen mode.
Zoom Picture (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_fs/BlueSteelFullScreen.htm) -- Direct Install (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_fs/BlueSteelFullScreen.mjp) -- Download ZIP (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/skins/bluesteel_fs/BlueSteelFullScreen_MEGAME_Skin.zip)

The following stuff will be available soon:

LightSteel - A version of "Blue Steel" with light background

MiniSteel - The "mini-me" version of "Blue Steel"

MacroSteel - A very small, basic "mini-me" version of "Blue Steel"

SteelyTrack - TrackInfo Templates for "Blue Steel"

SteelyHair - "Blue Steel" Hairstyle, steely but easy to comb... :o

SteelyPop - for the use with Rhino Banga's GetPlayingNow-Plugin

Please give me some days to sort stuff... I'm working on it :P


Listening to: 'Reelin' in the Years' from 'Alive In America' by 'Steely Dan' on Media Center 9.1....
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: Doof on October 17, 2003, 12:26:22 pm
None of your screenshots are working...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 17, 2003, 12:40:57 pm
Quote from: Doof on October 17, 2003, 12:26:22 pm
None of your screenshots are working...

I'm just building this thread and "saved" it already by mistake...
Please wait...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: dragyn on October 17, 2003, 12:54:38 pm
Great work on these skins! It really gives the 'professional' look when comparing MC to other media programs.
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: Doof on October 17, 2003, 01:13:27 pm
Yeah, they are nice. And I like that they're original and not a rehash of the iTunes skin like one of the other considerations.

If I ever get over my PixOS fetish, I'll be sure to use Blue Steel. :)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: lOth on October 17, 2003, 01:14:21 pm
Quote
The following stuff will be available soon: :-)

MiniSteel - The "mini-me" version of "Blue Steel"

SteelyTrack - TrackInfo Templates for "Blue Steel"

SteelyHair - "Blue Steel" Hairstyle, but easy to comb...

SteelyPop - for the use with Rhino Banga's GetPlayingNow-Plugin

Bring them on!  ;D
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: mrsnarky on October 17, 2003, 02:42:51 pm
knickelfarz - thanks for the full-screen version.  I'm one of those strange people that always keep MC in full-screen mode.

If I may, I'd like to make a tiny suggestion.  Since the full-screen mode is not resizable, you really don't need the textured thumb in the lower-right corner, which you normally would grab to do this.  Just a suggestion...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: matshif on October 17, 2003, 04:41:54 pm
Beautiful work.
I'm very pleased with your skin.
Have been a true fan of Win Media but now....
Waiting especially for PlayingNow and TrackInfo.
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: jleerigby on October 18, 2003, 04:18:23 am
Thanks for the full screen version.  The one thing I would love to be able to transport over from Tomy00's WMP skin is the gold colored rating stars.  I use these in all other skins but can't with Blue Steel as they are a different format.  If I was any good at photo editing I'd do it myself but unfortunately I'm completely useless at this type of thing.

I also prefer to have the unrated part blank rather than grey i.e. if it's rated with three stars I'd like 3 gold stars and nothing else rather than 3 gold stars and 2 grey ones.  If there is anyone out there that could modify Knicklefarz's PNG for List_Rating I'd love to have a copy.

One of the benefits of gold stars besides looking good is that they go easily with most backgrounds. So, for example, if I chose to give blue steel a blue background I'd still be able to see the stars.
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 18, 2003, 05:36:37 am
JLee,

just go to the <LIST> section of the skins "main.xml" and edit the "Bitmap=" part. The name of the "Bitmap" has to match with the name of the picture you want to use.

If the picture is a GIF file, for example, the whole entry would look like

<Entry Name="Rating" Bitmap="MyRating.gif" NumberImages="3" />

Of course, the picture itself has to be copied into the skins folder...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on October 18, 2003, 11:17:36 am
Excellent job on this Knickelfarz, I simply adore it,
an I am anxiously  awaiting the rest of the package.

Your work has done a great deal in making this release a winner . . .  first mpressions and all that, the visual appeal of this skin (package) really helps make M9.1 truely first class!  Thanks for the great work.
 
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: jleerigby on October 18, 2003, 11:32:42 am
Quote from: knickelfarz on October 18, 2003, 05:36:37 am
JLee,

just go to the <LIST> section of the skins "main.xml" and edit the "Bitmap=" part. The name of the "Bitmap" has to match with the name of the picture you want to use.

If the picture is a GIF file, for example, the whole entry would look like

<Entry Name="Rating" Bitmap="MyRating.gif" NumberImages="3" />

Of course, the picture itself has to be copied into the skins folder...
Thanks Knickelfarz.  It was just the TransColor value that I was missing (Tomy00's have a pink background) but I've sussed it now.
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: matshif on October 18, 2003, 11:55:44 am
BTW, waiting for the coming TrackInfo you can use NightLife. It's pretty nice together with BB. Round buttons.
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: N0z1f on October 26, 2003, 03:41:58 pm
Luvin' your work !!!!

Can you help me though. How do I add Web Radio to my media library as in your screen shot. Also how do I get the funky visual you are showing in your screenshot? Oh and one last question how do I access the Deep House station you are showing ? I can't seem to find it in the listings.

Bit crap aren't I. Appreciate it if you could give me some pointers.

Ta.
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: drosoph on October 26, 2003, 07:22:39 pm
Knickelfarz,

What are the properties you used in the track info template style.css file to match to Skin?

Here is an example:
body { margin-left:20px; margin-right:20px; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:20px;
    scrollbar-face-color: #C0C3C7; scrollbar-3dlight-color: #3078C4; scrollbar-highlight-color: #DBDBE1;
       scrollbar-shadow-color: #182A53; scrollbar-darkshadow-color: #000000; scrollbar-arrow-color: #0A246A;
       scrollbar-track-color: #C0C3C7; }

I think there is a font change or two as well :)

Can you give me some hints .. Im trying different colors but nothing is perfect!
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: kiwi on October 27, 2003, 04:07:36 am
Just a thought for the Mini-Me versions.  I think that one of the PixOS Mini-Me skins has the ability to expand and compress.  That might be a good way to go from simple to complex.

kiwi
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 27, 2003, 05:55:12 am
Quote from: N0z1f on October 26, 2003, 03:41:58 pm
How do I add Web Radio to my media library as in your screen shot.
When the station is playing in MC, you can add it to a playlist and then also to the library. You can then also assign images, comments (I'm adding links to the homepage/playlist of the station here...) and stuff. For some of the stations I mostly listen to, I made "coverart" images from screenshots of the stations homepages. You can download them here if you like: webradio_cover.zip (http://www.futurehome.de/mc/webradio_cover.zip)

Quote
Also how do I get the funky visual you are showing in your screenshot?
Use a "TrackInfo" template that shows visualization... you can then chose between different visualization by right clicking on the visualization...
I will post some "TrackInfo" templates that are matching the skin later.

Quote
... how do I access the Deep House station you are showing ? I can't seem to find it in the listings.
Type "Deep House" into the "All Stations" box and hit "Search"... it should find the right station...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 27, 2003, 06:02:33 am
Quote from: drosoph on October 26, 2003, 07:22:39 pm
What are the properties you used in the track info template style.css file to match to Skin?
Can you give me some hints .. Im trying different colors but nothing is perfect!
I will post some TrackInfo templates in a few days, with matching background and buttons... By then...maybe you can take a look at the main.xml of "BlueSteel" to get the exact HEX colors of the skin?
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 27, 2003, 06:24:53 am
Quote from: kiwi on October 27, 2003, 04:07:36 am
Just a thought for the Mini-Me versions.  I think that one of the PixOS Mini-Me skins has the ability to expand and compress.  That might be a good way to go from simple to complex.
Well, I'm working on two mini-me skins... one opens EQ, playlist and the other stuff in windows next to the "main" window. The other one can expand/compress and offers "tabs" for switching EQ/Visualization and PlayingNow/Playlist when it's expanded. Here's a top secret preview ;)

(http://www.futurehome.de/mc/ministeel_preview.jpg)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: NoCodeUK on October 27, 2003, 08:25:22 am
Looks very cool...

Nice one knickelfarz!!

Adam
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on October 27, 2003, 09:09:57 am
Thanks Adam  ;) I hope I can post it next week...
BTW - What happened to "Luna"?  :P ;D
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: NoCodeUK on October 27, 2003, 03:27:59 pm
Ummm...eh...LOL

I put it on the back burner for a while.  There didn't really seem to be too much interest and your Blue Steel skin looked som much better :D

I wa actually designing a skin called Blue Steel too but I have changed the name now...

Still in the early stages though...aren't they all LOL

Adam
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: kiwi on October 27, 2003, 03:38:33 pm
That looks awesome!

kiwi
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on October 31, 2003, 12:25:02 am
The mini is comming along very nicely.
You have a great look there  :D
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on November 04, 2003, 09:48:49 am
 ::)

 . . .  patiently she waits for the marvelously lovely mini-me skin
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on November 07, 2003, 02:54:23 pm
 8)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: lOth on November 07, 2003, 06:14:02 pm
Quote from: LisaRCT on November 07, 2003, 02:54:23 pm
8)

and lOth said :

 ::)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on November 07, 2003, 06:21:47 pm
Hi 10th
Wanna play cards while we wait?
You deal . . . .
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: lOth on November 08, 2003, 07:17:56 am
One card for you,

One card for me,

One card for you,

One card for me...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on November 08, 2003, 07:32:48 am
YAY . . .  I've got Solitaire
I win  ;D

ya think we should wake up knickelfarz ?

We want Mini-Me skin! . . . . . . . . . We want Mini-Me!
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on November 08, 2003, 02:09:06 pm
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream...

Did some work on the EQ today... Have a nice weekend ;)

(http://www.futurehome.de/mc/ministeel_preview2.jpg)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: lOth on November 08, 2003, 05:29:11 pm
dam', stop teasing man  :-\
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LonWar on November 08, 2003, 07:52:27 pm
Nice look man...

One thing I was wondering though, Why is there no EQ in the skins for Mega me....
(I know you can go into options and pop it up)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: Doof on November 08, 2003, 11:50:57 pm
MC's Mega-Me doesn't disply the EQ anywhere except inside the DSP Studio.

What do the Playing Now and Playlist tabs on the mini-me skin do? As far as I know, mini-me can only display Playing Now... so I guess the better question would be, what does the Playlist tab do?
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: jaht on November 16, 2003, 07:44:29 am
What happened with "SteelyTrack - TrackInfo Templates for "Blue Steel", is it ready for download?

Thanks

JAH
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LisaRCT on December 02, 2003, 02:01:45 pm
Ahem . . . .  bump . . . .

looking for Blue Steel MiniMe   ::)
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on December 02, 2003, 02:25:10 pm
Well, you know what happened to Santa...
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on December 02, 2003, 08:13:09 pm
I've gotta fight with the mini-me JavaScript some more before I can release it... be patient ;)

Don't cry, it's Xmas soon  ;D
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on December 05, 2003, 08:56:14 am
Quote from: Mad_Chemist on December 03, 2003, 10:11:58 pm
I couldn't resist tweaking it a little.
Nice, I like it dark ;)
Quote
What TrackInfo are you using on the screenshot?
Mmh, it's one of those semi-finished products... :P
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: JorgeGVB on December 11, 2003, 07:05:56 am
Did you ever complete your mini-me projects?  
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: knickelfarz on December 11, 2003, 07:44:09 am
Spoon alligators bill is right
Soon o' later it'll see the light
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: jaht on February 01, 2004, 10:26:13 pm
 ?
Title: Re:Blue Steel Skins for MC 9.1
Post by: LonWar on February 25, 2004, 12:12:26 pm
Just wondering how this project is coming along...